Machine for automatically punching converter tuyeres



Aug. 19, 1947. G. B. FORBES 2,425,792

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PUNCHING CONVERTER TUYERES HTTORNE'I 11113.19, 1947. lG. B, FQRBES 2,425,792

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATIGALLY PUNCHING COVERTER TUYERES Mawr WWK* I Aug. 19, 1947. G. a. FORBES MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PUNCHING CONVERTER TUYERES Filed ocr. 1'?, 1944 a sheets-sheet 3 INVENToR. orda/z )Vrifs s Wax ITTORNEY n.. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\.I.L

Aug. 19, 1941.

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PUNCHING CONVERTER TUYERES G. B. FORBES Aug. 19, 1947.

s. la. FoRBEs MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PUNCHING CONVERTER TUYERES` Filed oct. 17. 1944 v 8 sheets-sheet 5 Aug. 19, 1947. G. B. FORBES MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PUNCHING CONVERTERTUYERES 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed oet. 1v, 1944 IN VEN TOR. BY (iardon bres Arran/ver Aug. 19, 1947. G, B, FORBES 2,425,792

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PUNCHING CONVERTER TUYEES Filed oct. 17, v1944 s sheets-sheet v Aug. 19, 1947. G. B. FORBES 2,425,792

MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLYv PUNCHING CONVERTER TUYERES Filed Oct. 1'7, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 @www .Sua um uw NN mSSuw Qu@ Patented AugJlB,

MACHINE non AUroMA'ncALLY PUNcmNG CONVERTER TUYRES Gordon B. Forbes, Salt Lake City, Utah, assignor to American Smeltingand Rening Company,` New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 17, 1944, Serial No. 559,052

25 Claims.

tuyres therebyimpairing the converting operation.

It has been conventional practise to remove these encrustations manually by inserting a bar in the outerfend of thetuyre and thrusting it against the encrustation to break the vlatter away. While the desirability of providing a machine to perform this work in an automatic and continuous manner has long been recognized and various mechanisms have been proposed, no

generally acceptable machine for performing the task commercially has been devised, insofar as applicant is aware.

According to the present invention, a machineis provided for successively and automatically punching converter tuyres which has suillcient flexibility of operation to clean misaligned tuyres whereby a commercially practical automatic punching machine is provided. While the invention in illustrated and described with particular reference to a machine for punching tuyres on the ordinary rotary converter, such as commonly used for blowing copper matte, it will be understood that the principles may be applied to converters of other types.

The utility of the automatic punching machine of the invention is enhanced by a number of characteristic features embodied by it. Some of the more important characteristics are:

(1) No part of the automatic punching machine is directly connected with the converter. This arrangement permits turning and tilting of the converter to charge, blow, skim, discharge, etc.,

without having the punching mechanism interfere with the converter or stack supports.

(2) The punching machine is mounted separately from the converter proper and embodies means for aligning the punching tool with the tuyres when converter returns to blowing position after 'skimming oremptying the metal into ladies.

(3) The automatic puncher comprises means 2 n for compensating for any misalignment of tuyres which occurs in practically all converters after they have been in use a short while.

(4) Provision is made for interlocking the con- 5 verter controls with the automatic punching mechanism whereby once the punching operation has begun the converter cannotbe moved, the 4 arrangement being such that in the event of a punch bar sticking,`interlocked controls prevent any movement of the converter until `the bar is free of the tuyre.

(5) Provision is made wherein should the automatic punching mechanism of the ,machine become inoperative for any reason,I emergency operable means are present for moving the automatic machine to one side to permit manual punching of the tuyres until the malfunctioning of the offending member has been remedied.

(6) Embodied in the machine are means operable automatically to move the punching machine proper from tuyre to tuyre` successively, the punching rod and prime mover means being yieldably mounted on a carriage which is moved along independent of the converter. 'I'he carriage is also located automatically with respect both to the longitudinal and the circumferential position of the tuyres.

(7) Provision is also made wherein the reciprocating punch rod may be adjusted to make a shorter stroke as the inner wall of the converter and the end of the tuyre erode away with continued use.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of .this invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, the

'invention itself, as to its objects and other advantages, and manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and illustrating a preferred embodiment, in which Fig. 1 is a rear elevation illustrating an embodiment of the invention wherein one puncher is mounted on a carriage and adapted to move in position to punch the tuyressuccessively, the converter and tuyres being shown diagrammatically;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the tuyre punchf ing machine lillustrated in Fig. 1 showingthe puncher, carriage and track arrangement for circumferential travel of carriage relative to the converter, the converter being shown partly broken away;

55 Fig. 2A-is a fragmentary detail view of the 3 manual punching platform taken on line 2A-2A' of Fig. 2:

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the tuyre punching mechanism showing puncher rod and associated mechanism in punching position;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig'. 5 is an enlarged rear elevational view illustrating in more detail the control mechanism and general arrangement for operating one puncher;

Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating the arrangement for hydraulically moving the -puncher horizontally of the converter'where only one puncher is used;

Fig. '1 is a schematic View in elevation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a control wiring diagram for operating one puncher as illustrated in Figs. 1 to '1;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational viefw illustrating the general arrangement and control mechanism of a converter where three tuyre punchers are used;

Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view illustrating a modified arrangement for hydraulically moving the tuyre punchers horizontally of the converter when three punchers are used;

Fig. 11 is a schematic view in elevationof the arrangement shown in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a control wiring diagram -for operating three punchers in the modied arrangement illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

General arrangement Referring to the drawings, and partciularly Figs. 1, 2 and 5 thereof, there is shown a rotary converter, generally designated by I0, having a longitudinally spaced row of tuyres II required to be cleaned of encrustations at their inner ends. To accomplish this a tuyre puncher I2, illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, is suitably mounted on a carriage I5 movable longitudinally of the converter on the machine bed I8. The bed I8 in turn is movably supported within spaced guides I9 which are fastened at opposite ends in the horizontally extending puncher supporting frame generally designated at 2| as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, Thus, both horizontal, as Well as radial, movement of the puncher as a unit circumferentially of the converter is provided. Suitable rollers mounted at each end of the bed I8 are arranged to engage the guides I9, the bed I8 and associated puncher mechanism being adjustably supported within the guides I9 by cables 21 which extend overl the sheave wheels 28 to counterweight 29 as shown in Fig. l. Counterweight 29 is fastened through cable 3| to the piston rod 32 actuated by the hydraulic cylinder 35, the counterweight being enough lighter in weight than the bed I8 and associated puncher mechanism to permit the bed to move downwardly until it makes contact with the lower part of the frame 2| in which position the hydraulically operated piston rod 32 of cylinder 35 will have reached the upper limit of its stroke.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the cable carried punching machine bed I8, guides I9, puncher supporting frame 2|, tuyre puncher I2 and associated operating mechanism is supported and moved as a. unit on the wheels 38 and 39 resting on track 40. The wheels 39 are drivingly connected to the gear rack -42 which is reciprocated by the piston rod 43 actuated by the hydraulic cylinder 4-4 which in turn is operatively controlled by a solenoid valve 45. When it is desired to move the punching machine away from the converter for making repairs or for any other reason, the valve 45 is operated to move the machine from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 to that illustrated by broken lines.

Embodied in the machine bed I8 is a manual punching platform 50 which is movably mounted on the track 52 by flanged wheels 53 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2A. When manual punching of the tuyres is to be carried out the automatic puncher is moved away from the converter to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 and the platform 50 is extended toward the converter, from dotted line position to that shown in full lines in Fig. 2A, the height of the platform being adjusted by operation of the hydraulic cylinder 35. This provision for quick conversion of the machine from automatic to manual punching is advantageous inasmuch as in certain types of converting, for instance copper blowing, there are certain stages in the converting operation where it is important that no delay or interference with the completion of the blowing treatment be permitted. Should this occur by reason of the failure of any part of the automatic punching mechanism, the machine can be quickly moved aside and the platform 58 positioned to allow the tuyres to be cleaned manually and the blowing operation continued until the charge is finished.

In the preferred arrangement, as illustrated in Fig. 1, iiuidl pressure for actuating the hydraulic cylinder 35, to move the bed I8 and associated puncher mechanism vertically, is eiected by a hydraulic pump 51 which withdraws oil from the sump 58 and supplies it to the hydraulic cylinder 35 through a suitable piping and valve arrangement, as shown, the pump being driven by motor 59. The hydraulic pump 60, as shown to the right on Fig. 1 and driven by motor 8| while in communication with the oil sump 63, is adapted to supply hydraulic fluid pressure to the horizontal motion cylinder 55 through suitable piping and valve mechanism. Relief valves 61 on pump 51 and 68 on pump 60 are provided to control the oil pressure admitted to their respective cylinders. Provision is made for moving the tuyre puncher I2 longitudinally of the converter adjacent the row 'of tuyres II and automatically punching each tuyre in succession. Cams 10, which are preferably located on the punching machine bed I8, as illustrated on the drawings, are utilized to control the movement and operation of the puncher. A cam is provided for each tuyre, the cam being adjustably positioned on the machine bed so that the puncher carriage I5 engages it as the carriage is moved along. Engagement of a cam opens an electrical circuit in the control system, as hereinafter described, whereupon the carriage is brought to a stop in position, adjacent the tuyre to be punched, to permit the puncher to engage and punch the tuyre. Movement of the puncher along the machine bed I8 is' effected by a cable 12 to which the puncher carriage is suitably fastened, as by using clamps 13 illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Cable 12 is reeved over sheaves 14, located at opposite ends of the machine bed I8, and is wound on a drum 15, using a take-up sheave 16 to maintain the cable taut. The cable drum 15 is rotated on its axle shaft by pinion gear 11 keyed thereto, the pinion being suitably held in mesh with the rack 1s whie'h,I e in turn, is connected .to and reciprocated by the Construction and operation of tuyre punching mechanism- Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the carriage I5 and associated puncher mechanism I2 are supported for horizontal movement on the track 88 by double-flanged wheels 89, track 88 being mounted on the machine bed I 8, which in turn is supported for vertical movement as shown in the drawings. Elongated angle members 9| secured to the inner side of the bed I8 are provided to prevent derailment of the carriage. The puncher carriage I5 is journalled to the axles 93, as

`shown in Fig. 3.v Attached to the top plate-like portion 94, by a king boit 95, is a secondary punching cylinder |00. inder isv mounted on the plate 94 so that the longitudinal axis of the cylinder is inclined to the horizontal, the cylinder being prevented from turning by a stud bolt |02 which secures an integral L-shaped flange portion |03 of the cylinder to the plate 94. By employing this arrangement, the punching mechanism can be swung around at right angles to the converter, after removing bolt |02, thus making the mechanism readily accessible for repairs.

Punching cylinder is preferably operated by compressed air and is of conventional type construction with cylinder heads adapted to accommodate electric switches P--4 at one end of stroke and S-2 and l-I-3, S-5, M-- P--3 at other` end of stroke, all of which are actuated by piston |05 at the end of its respective strokes. The piston rod |01 which is actuated by movement of the piston |05 is connected at its outer end, by a threaded portion |08, to a slidable 4member 09 upon which is yieldably mounted the primary punching cylinder I|0. This cylinder is constructed similarly to cylinder |00 being actuated by compressed air and arranged to recip- The cylinder rocate the tuyre punch rod II2. is inclined to the horizontal in conformity to that of the tuyre, as illustrated in Fig. 3. By adjusting the nuts ||5 and |I|iV to position the lug IIB, which is integral with the slidable base |09, the end position of the punch rod I I2, relative to the inner opening of the'tuyre pipe |20 in the converter at the end of its punching stroke, may be changed. With a new tuyre pipe, for example, the position of the member |09 may be as indicated in full lines in Fig. 3; whereas, after the tuyre has worn away, the member |09 may be adjusted to compensate therefor, taking the position shown by the dotted lines on Fig. 3. In this way the punch rod ||2 is not forced out into the molten metal in the converter any more than ynecessary to properly clean the tuyre. This adjustment feature substantially increases the service life of the punch bar inasmuch as less of the bar is subjected to the heated charge during the punching operation. Moreover, utilizing the arrangement illustrated, punch rods of one standard length may be stocked for any number of punching machines. Aside from these As illustrated in Fig. 3, this cyladvantages, the two cylinder punching mechanism lengthens the service life of the packing glands of the punching cylinders |00 and |I0 due to proportioning the overally length of punching stroke between the two cylinders.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and '4 the slidable base |09, supporting the cylinder IIO, is retained in position by a dove-tail guide |25 which preferably forms an integral part of cylinder |00 as shown in Figure 4. Cylinder IIO is yieldably supported with respect to the member |09 by radial disposed springs |28, the forward end of the 'cylinder being suitably mounted in a spherical bearing |30 providing a universal joint. The spherical bearing |30 is retained in the socket |32 which includes four radial arms |35 arranged to fitin holes |31 and around which is placed the coil springs |28. .This construction provides an arrangement whereby should the tuyre pipe |20 be misaligned, 'as frequently occurs in converter practise, with the assistance of a funnel-shaped tuyre entry piece |40, the punching cylinder IIO will move against its spring support and align itself with the misaligned tuyre pipe to permit punching of the tuyre which otherwise would be impossible except manually. The funnelshaped entry opening dened yby the guide |40 is such as to provide for the greatest misalignment that a tuyre may acquire during use. It will be understood, of course, that yieldable means other than springs, for example rubber or the like, may be used in mounting the punching cylinder on the base member I 09, the important thing being to provide for universal movement of the punching tool when punching tuyres. Further, by making the punching tool yieldable along its longitudinal axis, through the cylinder and spring mounting, a more durable punching mechanism is provided and less shock and vibration is transmitted from the punching tool to the associated machine elements during use. Punching cylinder ||0l is constructed similarly to cylinder |00 with cylinder heads adapted to accommodate electric switches P--5 at one end of its stroke and' P--T at the other end, all of which are actuatedby the piston |45 at the ends of its respective strokes. Punch rod ||2 is suitably attached to the piston |45 and is reciprocated in the tuyre to clean away the crust from the inner end of the tuyre pipe, as shown in Fig. 3.

DescriptionV of electrical control circuit for punching tug/res using a single puncher Assume the converter is inl operating position with puncher I2 stationary and horizontal motion cylinder '65 at the end of its stroke, motor controls F-I and R-I being both de-energized (Fig. 8). The air valve 5 in conduit E, shown in dotted lines, through which air is fed to the converter, is open and contacts U--I are closed energizing UC-I closing contacts U-3, horizontal alignment contacts H-5 (Fig. 8) being not quite in contact. When' air ilow through conduit 6 decreases to a predetermined value, due to the established energizing coil UC-2 closing contacts H-I. This starts the motor 6| of pump 60 and oil is pumped to the horizontal motion cylinder 65 until H-I is again opened. Inlet valve HS-2 and the exhaust valve HS-4 on the horizontal motion cylinder 55 are now open, being energized The piston rod of cylinder 65 and switch striker |50, Fig. 5, will now start to movel away from H-lll and will continue to move in this direction until the striker |50 closes switch H-I I. During this time H--I is held closed by HC-S and 9 through circuit H-B and H-S insuring that the piston rod 80 of cylinder 65 will complete its full stroke from H-I to H-II should the contact U-2 be broken by restored air ow.

As described, horizontal movement of the rod 80 rotates .the drum 15 moving the cable |2 and attached tuyre puncher I2 past the tuyres. This horizontal motion is interrupted at each tuyre long enough for the. puncher to operate and clean the tuyre pipe. When the puncher reaches a tuyre and engages its respective cam 10, contacts H-5, H-4, H-|2, H-I3 and'H-III being closed, holding coil HC-5 is energized opening H-2 thus de-energizing and closing solenoid horizontal motion. The puncher Will remain stationary while the punching cycle of operations is taking place.

When the puncher reaches the end of its horizontal movement, for instance, after punching the outermost tuyre, the striker |50 will close H-Il energizing HC-i I. Co'ntacts H-IOA and H-Ill are then closed energizing holding coil HC-I which will remain energized until H-IO is broken by the return horizontal traverse of the puncher to the opposite end position. With the energizing of HC--I I, contact H--9 is broken deenergizing HC--8 and HC--9 which breaks H-l if UC-Z has previously been energized through opening of U-I by closure of air valve 5 or by opening of U-Z as the result of restored air flow. If H-I remains closed or again closes through action of U--2, the solenoid exhaust valve I-IS--I and inlet valve HS-3 are operated through H--I H-3, H--2, H--4 and H-5, pump motor 6| and pump 60 being actuated causing reverse horizontal motion of the puncher I2 whereby it will move from H-I I to H-I 0.

Movement of the switch striker |50 away from H-Il causes it to open de-energizing HC-II.

Contacts H-B, H-8 and H-IUA remain closed as long as holding'coil HC-I0 is energized through H-I and H-IUA. lWhen switch striker |50 opens H-|0, upon the return move- Punching cycle of operations Movement of the puncher I2 in position adjacent a tuyre whereby cam 'l0 is engaged, brings about closure of contact H-5 and P-I and, inf asmuch as H-|, P-Z and P-3 have previously been closed, solenoid valve PS-I on control valve |55, as diagrammatically shown in dotted lines on Fig. 3 for operating the hydraulic punching cylinder |00, is energized admitting compressed air to the cylinder starting the piston |05 on its punching stroke. .Contacts S412 and S--5 are open preventing movement of the puncher supporting frame 2| until they are closed. Contact M-I is closed -energizing MC-I and preventing turning of the converter while the punching mechanism is connected thereto and punching tuyres. Contact H-4 is also open prohibiting horizontal motion of the puncher until it is again closed at the completion of the punching cycle. Contact P-3 is opened cie-energizing PS-l 0f control valve |55 but leaving the valve in punching operating position.

When piston' |05 of punching cylinder |00 reaches the end of its punching stroke and closes P-4, this action energizes solenoid valve PS- Z of control valve |58 (Figs. 3 and 8) through circuits P|, H-I, P-2 and P-4. Piston |45 of cylinder |0 is thereby actuated and moves to the right on its punching stroke, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8. Upon completion of the stroke, contact P-5 is closed energizing PC-5 thus breaking P-2 and closing P--I and H--2A. These contacts are kept closed by the holding coil PC- until the puncher completes its punching cycle of operations and moves out of contact with cam 10. Closure of P-5 energizes PS-3, through P-|, H-I and P-5, operating control valve |58 causing piston |45 of cylinder IiIl to start the retracting stroke whereupon contact P-5 is opened de-energizing PS--3 and PC-5. When piston |55 of cylinder ||0 is fully retracted P-T is closed and solenoid valve PS-li, of control valve |55 for cylinder |00, is energized through P-|, H-I, P-Ii and P-'l and piston |05 is caused to move to the left, as seen in Fig. 3, on its retracting stroke. At the end of the retracting stroke of piston cylinder |00, the lockout contacts S-2 and S-5 are closed. Contact M-I however, is opened de-energizing MC-l to allow turning or tilting of the converter, if necessary or desired. Conventional mechanism, not shown, is used to turn the converter. Contact P-3 is closed preparatory for the next punching stroke. Upon closure of H-Jlv, horizontal movement of the puncher towards the next tuyre is initiated by energizing HS-I and HS-B, HS-2 and HS-4, through H-I, H-3, H-2A, H--4 and H-B or H-l. As the cam follower |60, diagrammaueauy illustrated in dotted unes' on Fig. 8, leaves cam 10, contact H-5 is broken thereby de-energizing holding coil HC*5 closing contact H-.2 and so continuing horizontal movement of the puncher when I-I-ZA opens. Contact P-I is also broken de-energizing PC--S which opens contacts P-S and H-ZA ,de-energizing PS-ll whereas contact P-2 is closed making ready for the next punching cycle at a succeeding tuyre. If the converter operator wants the ltuyres cleaned at any time during operation of the converter, this can beinstituted by pushing manual switch button U-ZA. When this is done the puncher will clean the tuyres automatically once across the converter.

Converter movement and control In converter practise, a stack, not shown, is usually provided to carry away fumes. Accretions tend to accumulate within the stack and when the converter is turned out of stack, asin pouring, these accretions may drop down back of the converter. The falling accretions might result in damaging the tuyre puncher and associated mechanism if left in its normal tuyre punching position when turning the converter out of stack. In accordance with the present invention, provision is made whereby the tuyre punching apparatus can be readily moved away from closes .S-I and when punching cylinder reaches the end of its retracting stroke S-2 is closed and SS-I is energized causing cylinder 44 to bring about'movement of the puncher supporting frame 2|, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the punching apparatus is moved away from the converter to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Contact S-2 is closed and M-l opened deenergizing MC--i and closing M--2 wherebythe converter is turned out of stack. During manipulation of the converter, it will be noted (Fig. 8) that contact H-B is held open preventing horizontal motion of the puncher. As the converter turns outof stack the air supply valve is closed which opens contacts U| deenergizing UC-l opening U-B and S-3. With contact S--3 broken the puncher and supporting frame 2i is retained in the position removed from the converter as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

When the converter has been tiirned out of stack, the operator operates the control mechanism to cle-energize FC--2 and open S-L Contact S-d is now closed but inasmuch as S-3 is open the puncher supporting frame 2| remains stationary. To turn the` converter back into stack and restore the punching apparatus in position to automatically clean the tuyres, the operator adjusts the controller, not shown, to energize R-I causing the converter to turn back into the stack. When the air to the converter tuyres is restored, contact S-3 closes and as the operator places the controller in neutral position S-i is opened and S-4 is closed. Asl Sf5 is already closed, SS-2 is energized and the puncher supporting frame 2| moves back to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. Contacts H-|2, H--I3 and H|4 are closed and the puncher -then operates as before the converter was turned out of stack.

When it is desired to turn the converter, as is often necessary during operations, the controller is actuated to energize FC-2 -or RC-2 which closes contact S| and, as soon as S-2 is closed by completion of the retraction stroke oi cylinder |00l SS-I is energized andthe puncher supporting frame 2| starts to move to the right away from the converter, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

When the converter has beenl turned to the desired position, the controller for the electrical circuit is returned to neutral which breaks contact S-I and closes 5 4 energizing SS-2 whereby the puncher and supporting frame 2| is moved back into punching position. Contact H-|2 is then closed and the puncher operates as before turning theconverter. Preferably a manual operating switch |65 is provided in the electrical control circuit, as shown in Fig. 8,' which is utilized to energize coil IE5-C and cause the puncher supporting frame 2| to move away from thev ing back from the converter as long as this switch is closed.

Vertical motion control of puncher Assume the converter is out of stack and the puncher supporting frame 2| moved away from the converter and it is desired to return the converter and tuyre punching machine to their nox'- mal position for automatic operation. The operator, referring to Fig. 8, re-establishes the electric circuit through M-2 energizing R-I and RC--2 closing S-I. Inasmuch as M-| is open and MC-I is de-energized so that M-2 is closed, the converter turns back in stack and the air blast comes on closing 5 3. After the converter has been turned into stack and the blowing of air r through the tuyres in progress, the electrical control is adjusted to neutral whereby S-i is opened 'and S-l is closed, As contact S-E is already closed, SS-2 is energized and the puncher supporting frame moves from the dotted line position shown'in Fig. 2 to that shown in full lines. At the end of this movement, contact H|2 is closed.

To vertically align the puncher with the converter tuyres whereby the punching of the tuyres can be automatically performed, a photoelectric arrangement is provided as diagrammatically shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 9. An electric eye VR or VF, depending on the position of the converter, has its light source. L| intercepted by either VR-I or VF--l which will energize VR--2 or VF-2 (see wiring diagram Fig. 8), holding H--H open. The puncher is thus held inoperative until H--M closes which will occur when the puncher is in vertical alignment with the converter tuyres. In the preferred arrangement illustrated the self-aligning mechanism operates as followsi Assume the interceptor plate VR-I der 35 causing pistons working in cylinder 35 to move upwardly carrying, the piston rod 32, which is connected to the puncher supporting bed |8 through cable 3|, counterweight 29 and cables 21 running over sheaves 28 as shown in Fig. 1. Upward movement oi' the piston in cylinder 35 causes the puncher supporting bed I8 to move downward whereby VR will in passing by the end of `VR-l receive light. from source L-I causing de-energizing of solenoid valve coils VS-2 and VS-4, which stops upward movement of piston in vertical motion cylinder 35, thereby bringing the puncher in alignment with the tuyres of theA converter. When VR receives light VR-2 is de-energized closing H-H starting punching cycle, provided the puncher was punching tuyres before converter was turned out of stack, or puts the puncher in proper position to begin punching cycle as soonv as contact U-2 is closed.

Provision is also made for sounding an alarm should the light source L| fail. A suitable arrangement for accomplishing this electrically is illustrated in Fig. 8. As shown electric current flowing through the L-I, when it is lighted, enl.

ergizes LC-I which closes contacts L-3, L-4 and H|3 and opens L -2 energizing LC2. The electrical circuit is completed by contact L-4 from VF to VS-I and VS-3. L3 completes circuit from VR to VS-2 and VS-I. Utilizing this arrangement, failure of light source L| deenergizes LC I opening L-4 and L3 while closing contact L-2 which energizes LC2 sounding alarm, Further, with the failure of Yrack |80.

light source L-I, contact H|3 is opened stopping horizontal motion of the puncher, if under way, or locking out next punching cycle provided the puncher is not operating at the time of failure of the light source. If the puncher is in operation, it will complete its cycle and then remain inoperative until light source L-I is again restored.

In the preferred embodiment, as shown, provision is made whereby the puncher may be made inoperative at any selected tuyre, To provide for this cam 10 adjacent each tuyre is made removable. Accordingly, if for any reason it is not desired to punch one or more particular tuyres, the cam 10 at each selected tuyre is removed whereby contacts P-I and H- are not closed when the puncher moves adjacent the tuyre and passes on by to the next tuyre where cam is in position to close contacts P-I and H-5.

M odijication using a plurality of punchers Under certain conditions, for instance where there are a great number of tuyres which require punching, or it is desired to complete the punching or cleaning cycle in a shorter period of time,

or both, a plurality of punchers may be used..

A modification of the invention for doing this, using three tuyre punchers, is illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and l1. A modified wiring diagram for controlling the operation of the multiple punchers on converters with unequa1 spacing of tuyres is shown in Fig. 12. In the construction of rotary converters the riding rings |10 on which the converter rotates and the ring gear |12 for drivingly connecting the converter for rotation to a prime mover, not shown, often necessitates unequal spacing of tuyres between groups of equally spaced tuyres.

This unequal spacing of tuyres does not interfere, of course, with the operation of a single puncher but when more than one is used provision should be made to accommodate for this construction. The preferred arrangement for adjustably controlling the relative movement between two tuyre punchers whereby they can be operated on the same converter and made to punch unequally spaced tuyres is illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. As shown, use is made of a hydraulic spacer |15 which is connected to the The three punchers' |2a, |2b and |2c move horizontally of the converter punching the tuyres as controlled by cams 10. The punchers are moved by rack |80 which isfastened to and supported by the puncher |2b, as illustrated y in Figs. 9 and 11, rack |80 being connected to puncher |2c by draw-bar |82.

|2a is connected to the rack |80 through the hydraulic spacer |15, being fastened to the piston rod |16 of the piston |11 working in the cylinder |18 as illustrated in Fig. 11. In this connection it will be understood that a draw-bar similar to |82 may be used to connect punchers |2a and |2b in place of the hydraulic spacer |15, or a hydraulic spacer may be placed between punchers |2b and |2c, as desired depending upon the spacing arrangement of the tuyres on the converter which are to be punched.

In the schematic illustration of Fig. 11, rack |80, connected to the punchers, is in mesh with pinion |85 which is drivingly connected through pinion |86, keyed to the common shaft |88, to rack |90 fastened to and reciprocated by the piston rod 80 of the horizontal motion cylinder 65. Inasmuch as pinion |85 has more teeth than pinion |86, it will be seen that each movement of the piston rod is accentuated whereby the tuyre punchers |2a, |211 and I 2c are moved a relatively greater distance than that of the piston rod in accordance with a xed ratio. The horizontal motion cylinder 65 is operated by hydraulic fluid supplied by the pump 60 as heretofore described.

Hydraulic spacer operation The hydraulic spacer |15, which is preferably constructed as shown in cross-section in Fig. 11, operates as follows: Assume the switch striker |50 is moving to the left (Fig. 11) toward the switch H|0 by actuation of piston rod 80 of the horizontal motion cylinder. The tuyre punchers |2a, |2b and |2c are also moving to the left in the arrangement shown, due to movement of the rack |80. Attached to the frame of puncher |2al is a spring brake |92 which contacts brake shoe |93 at the point Where unequal spacing of tuyres begins. puncher |2a while cam follower |95 rides upon cam |86 opening valve |98. With valve |98 open, oil in hydraulic cylinder |18 on the right side of the piston |11 is forced to the left side of the piston. By varying the length of the cam |96 or distance through which valve |98 is open, the extent of movement of piston |11l relative to cylinder |18 may be controlled so that punchers |2a, |2b and |2c are brought to their respective tuyres at the same time as they are moved along to the left. During the movement, puncher |2a is held back momentarily at the point where unequal spacing of the tuyres starts and is pushed olf the brake shoe |93 upon further movement of the rack |80 fastened to the punchers such that cam follower rides off cam |96 and is moved in position to punch a tuyre, as desired, at the same time punchers |2b and |2c are positioned to punch their respective tuyres. When puncher |2a is to the left of cam |96 and moving to the right the hydraulic spacer operates in the same manner as described to compensate for the piston |11 for each increment of travel, the piston rod |16 is fastened to and extended through the piston and is fitted into the auxiliary cylinder 204, as illustrated in Fig. 11. Any leakage of oil past the piston rod is returned to the reservoir 200 through the conduit 205.

Description of electrical control circuit for punching tuyres using a plurality of punchers An auxiliary electrical control circuit diagram for operating three punchers such as indicated at A, B and C, is illustrated in Fig. 12. The wiring circuit, as shown, may be tied in and made an auxiliary or branch circuit of that used for operating a single puncher as shown in Fig. 8. The modified circuit of Fig. 12 shows how the horizontal motion of three punchers, converter turning movement and puncher supporting frame movement are interlocked whereby proper sequence of converted and tuyre punching operations are effected and automatically controlled. It will be understood that the modified control circuit diagram shown in Fig. 12 may be used for automatically controlling the operation of two or more punchers, three being merely illustrative.

This brake stops movement of To simplify the circuit diagram andl description only the contacts P-S at the inner end of the punching cylinders IH) and contacts P-,3, M-l, S-2, S-5 and H-'4 at the outer end of the punching cylinders are shown in Fig. 12.

Operating the punchers A, B and C employing the auxiliary control circuit of Fig. 12 in conjunction with the diagram circuit shown in Fig. 8, the sequence of operations is as follows: Assume the converter is in stack and the the punchers are in vertical alignment ready to clean the tuyres, with horizontal motion cylinder 65 at H--l contact end of its stroke, air valve (Fig. 8) for supplying air to converter open while contacts U-I are closed energizing UC--l closing U-3 and wherein all of the horizontal alignment contacts H-5 (Fig. 12) are open. When air iiow to the converter falls oif due to the tuyres graduallybecoming crusted over with metal being blown, contacts U-Z (Fig. 8) close at a predetermined setting energizing coil UC-Z closing contacts H-i which starts the motor tl operating pump 60 supplying hydraulic fluid to horizontal motion cylinder 65 as illustrated in Fig. 9. This motor and pump continue to operate until contact H--l is broken. The inlet valve HS-Z and exhaust valve HS-ll of horizontal motion cylinder 65 are opened, being actuated by energizing H-l, H--3, l-l-2, H-l (Fig. and the three interlocking H-d contacts on the punchers A, B and C which electrical contacts are connected in series, as indicated in Fig. 12. When cylinder G5 is actuatedmoving the piston rod and attached switch striker i5() away from yContact switch H--I, as shown in Fig. 9, it continues to move in this direction until the striker engages and operates switch H-IL During this movement H-l is held closed -i by holding coils HC-- and Si to insure completion of movement `from H-ll to H-Il in case contact U--E should be closed by restored air flow to converter, HC--B and 9 being energized through H--I and H-9, as shown on circuit diagram of Fig. 8. When the horizontal movement of the punchers is completed in one direction and contact H-I remains closed because of continuedair demand or is again "closed, the solenoid valves HS-l and IIS-3 are again energized through contacts H-l, s

. -14 tive H-4 contact. This prevents resumption of horizontal movement of the punchers until all H--4 contacts are again closed since the contacts H-4 of the three tuyre punchers are connected in series as illustrated in the circuit diagram of Fig. 12. Similarly, operation of the converter motor circuit is rendered inoperative until the contacts M-I on all three punchers are opened. In the same manner, by connecting contacts S-2 in .series and S-4 in series, movement of the puncher supporting frame 2| away from the converter is prevented until all the punchers have completed their tuyre punching and these series connected contacts closed.

Upon completion of the punching stroke, contacts H-2A at each puncher are closed. However, at any puncher which was not operated, due to withdrawal of tuyre cam 10, electrical connection is made through the by-pass circuit, comprising vcontact H-2B which remains closed unless cam 'l0 is present to initiate punching cycle of operations. Provision of by-pass circuit for contact H-2A through contact H-2B cornpletes the electrical cpnnection so that the punchers can be automatically moved off their respective cams 10 as soon as all H-- contacts are closed. It will be understood, of course, from the previous description that cams 1li for initiating the punching cycle of a puncher at a tuyre may be unequally spaced or equally spaced in groups with odd spacing between groups to correspond to `the spacing arrangement of the tuyres.

In the normal operation of converters, there are periods, sometimes, when metallics are encountered. These metallics may tend to adhere to the punching bar, and, when punching tuyres under these conditions, heating means is preferably provided to heat the punch rod or bar H2 of the puncher to a temperature sufficiently high to prevent adherence of metallics to the punch bar. For example, means, not shown, may be arranged for heating the punch bar using a conventional gas or oil :burner or electric heating arrangement.

The invention, as will be appreciated, provides a machine for automatically cleaning tuyres wherein the punching mechanism is free to move away from the converter when it is desired to permit manual cleaning of the tuyres. Further, s'uicient exibility in operation is provided whereby the puncher automatically aligns itself with the particular tuyre being punched.

Utilizing the improved tuyre punching mechanism of the invention, the tendency of conven- C is interrupted each time one or more of the punchers reaches a tuyre having cam 'l0 in place for initiating the punching cycle of operation.

Stoppage of the horizontal motion is long enough to allow all the punchers to complete their punching cycle to clean their respective tuyres. Whenone or more of the punchers reaches a tuyre and cam 10 is engaged, contacts H,5 are connected in parallel (Fig. 12) are closedV along with I-I--I H-M, H-I3 and `H-I2. Holding coil IIC-5 is thus energized opening H-2 and deenergizing circuit through the series connected contacts tional punching rods to become stuck in tuyres, especially when the tuyre is' out of alignment with the punching rod, has been practially eliminated under ordinary operating conditions.

While the preferred embodiment ofthe invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes and omissions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for punching converter tuyres comprising in combination, a. punching /tool, mechanism for reciprocating said tool while in registry with" a tuyre to clear the latter of encrustations, a ibase movable relative tothe converter, universally yieldable mounting means supporting said reciprocating mechanism and punching tool.on said base and rendering the tool self-aligning to the particular tuyre with which it is in registry during punching thereof, and means for moving said base to shift said tool and associated mechanism as a unit towards and away from said converter, said base-moving means being pivotally mounted on a carriage supported independently of the converter. I

2. In apparatus for punching converter tuyres, a punching tool, means for reciprocating said tool while in registry with a tuyre to clear the same of encrustations, said punching tool and 4associated reciprocating mechanism being mounted for universal movement on a base which is movable relative to said converter, a carriage supported independently of the converter, means for moving said base to shift saidtool and associated mechanism as a unit towards and away from said converter, said base-moving means being pivotally mounted on said carriage and in turn supporting said base, means for moving said carriage longitudinally of said converter from tuyre to tuyre successively and automatically, and means for adjusting the position of said carriage vertically with respect to said converter to bring said punching tool in registry with the tuyre to be punched.

3. A tuyre punching machine of the class described comprising a frame structurally independent of the converter to be punched, said frame being supported for movement on a track extending at a right angle with respect to the converter, means for moving said frame on said track toward and away from the converter, guideways carried by said frame, a machine bed disposed longitudinally of the converter and mounted for vertical movement along said guide- ,Ways, a carriage supported on said machine bed,

means for moving said carriage along the machine bed, punching tool mechanism mounted on said carriage, means for actuating said punching tool upon arresting the movement of said carriage at predetermined stations along said machine bed, and means for stopping thevmoving carriage automatically at said predetermined stations.

4. Apparatus for punching tuyres comprising primary and secondary cylinders and piston actuated mechanism, said primary cylinder and piston mechanism being arranged to reciprocate a punching tool while said tool is in registry with a tuyre, said secondary cylinder and piston mechanism being operatively connected to move said primary cylinder and associated punching tool as a unit towards and away from the tuyre whereby the tuyre can be cleared of encrustations by a stroke of saidpunching tool as actuated by said primary cylinder that is of lesser `4 1ength that that of the tuyre.

5. In apparatus for punching converter tuyres, a frame supported for movement relative to the converter, means for moving said frame with respect to the converter, vertically disposed guideways arranged at the opposite ends of the frame, a machine bed positioned for movement in said guideways, a carriage supported for movement on said bed, means for'moving said carriage along said machine bed, a punching tool and reciprocating mechanism therefor mounted y on said carriage, electrically operated means for automatically adjusting said machine bed relative to the converter tuyres, means responsive to decreased air flow to the converter for initiating the movement of said carriage from tuyre to tuyre, and electrically controlled means for automatically punching the tuyres in succession to remove encrustations and increase the air iiow to the converter.

6. Apparatus for punching converter tuyres comprising in combination, a frame having a carriage supported for movement relative to the frame, tuyre puncher mechanism mounted on said carriage, means for positioning the puncher so that individual tuyres may be automatically punched, means for moving said frame towards and away from the converter, a platform carried by said frame, and means for adjustably extending said platform towards the converter while retained by said frame to permit manual punching of the tuyres.

7. In combination, a rotary converter havin .electrical control mechanism for turning the converter out of stack and tuyres through which air is admitted to the converter, a frame extending longitudinally and vertically for arrangement alongside the converter` adjacent the tuyres, means for moving said frame towards and away from the converter, a'carriage carried Iby said frame, said carriage being movable longitudinally and circumferentially relative to said frame, a

punching tool and mechanism for actuating said tool to punch encrustations from the inner end of individual tuyres, means for automatically effecting step-by-step movement of said carriage and associated punching mechanism from tuyre to tuyre, electrically controlled mechanism for bringing the punching tool into position whereby said punching tool is in registry with a tuyre to be punched, and means operable upon positioning of the carriage at the tuyre to .be punched to render inoperative the electrical control mechanisms for turning said converter and for moving the puncher supporting frame and the punching tool carriage, until after the punching operation is completed and the punching tool removed from the tuyre, whereby inadvertent relative movement with resultant damage to the parts is avoided.

8. In apparatus for punching converter` tuyres, a punching tool, mechanism for reciprocating said tool to punch encrustations from hthe tuyre, said tool and reciprocating mechanism being mounted on a base that is movable with respect to the converter, and means for reciprocating said base to move said punching tool and its reciprocating mechanism as a unit toward and v away from the converter, said last-mentioned v supported independently of the converter, means for moving said carriage from tuyre to tuyre successively and automatically, means for stopping the carriage at a tuyre to be cleaned and initiating operation of said tool to punch said tuyre, and means for starting the sequence of operations including movement of the puncher carriage in position to perform the punching operation and punching of the tuyres throughout the length of the converter responsive Ato a predetermined decrease in air flow to the converter occasioned by the formation of encrustations on one or more tuyre ends interior of the converter.

10. In apparatus for punching converter tuy yres, a punching tool, mechanism associated with said tool for reciprocating the latter while in registry with a tuyre to clear it of encrustations, and means yieldably supporting said punching tool and its said reciprocating mechanism and permitting their movement as a unit universally relative to the converter in response to a change in position of the punching tool after entering the tuyre and occasioned by the position of the latter, whereby the punching tool automatically adjusts itself to the alignment of the tuyre during punching thereof.

11. In a tuyre punching machine of the class described: the combination with ai carriage movable laterally and vertically with respect to a converter, ya punching tool supported on said carriage, and means for reciprocating said tool while in registry with a'tuyre to clear the latter of encrustations, of means mounting said punching tool and reciprocating means for universal movement relative to the converter and carriage in response to a change in position of the punching tool in conforming to the .bore of thetuyre during punching thereof, whereby the punching tool is self-aligning with respect to the tuyre after said tool has been brought inI registry with the tuyre to be punched and the punching opration initiated.

12. .In a tuyre punching machine of the class described: a carriage movable laterally and vertically with respect to a converter, a punching tool supported on'said carriage, means for reciprocating said tool while in registry with a tuyre to clear the same of encrustations, said punching tool and reciprocating means being mounted for universal movement relative to the converter whereby the 4punching tool is selialigning with respect to the tuyre after said tool has been brought in registry with the tuyre to be punched and the punching operation initiated, means for automatically bringing said punching tool in position .for insertion in the tuyre to be punched. and mechanism operable to prevent movement of either the carriage or converter until the punching tool has completed its punching operation and has been withdrawn from the converter tuyre.

13. Apparatus for punching the tuyres of a converter, said punching apparatus comprising a frame extending vertically and longitudinally of the converter and affording access to the tuyres thereof, said frame being supported for movement towards and away from said converter, means for moving the frame, a carriage mounted on said frame and arranged for longitudinal and vertical movement thereon whereby the carriage `is brought adjacent the converter tuyres, a

punching tool, including means for reciprocating the tool, mounted on said carriage, means for automatically positioning the punching tool in vertical alignment with a tuyre which is to be punched, means for moving said carriage and associated punching mechanism mounted thereon horizontally in said frame from tuyre to tuyre, means for causing the operation of said punching tool to punch individual tuyres, and mechanism for interlocking said frame moving means, carriage moving means and punching mechanism whereby said frame and carriage moving meansl are rendered inoperative during operation of said punching mechanism to punch a tuyre.

14. Apparatus for punching the tuyres of a converter, said punching apparatus comprising a frame extending vertically and longitudinally of the converter and anording access to the tuyres thereof, said frame being supported for movement towards and away from said converter, means for moving the frame. a carriage mounted on said frame and arranged for longitudinal and vertical movement thereon whereby the carriage is brought adjacent the converter tuyres, a punching tool, including means for reciprocating the tool, mounted on said carriage, means for automatically vpositioningthe punching tool in vertical alignment with a tuyre which is to be punched, means for moving `said carriage and associated punching mechanism mounted thereon horizontally in said frame from tuyre to tuyre successively and automatically, means for stopping the carriage at a tuyre to be punched, means for initiating the operation to punch said tuyre, means responsive to decreased air flow to the converter tuyres to start the tuyre punching cycle of operations, and means responsive to restoration of air flow to the converter to a predetermined value to discontinue the tuyre punching ycycle of operations.

15. In combinations, metallurgical converter having tuyres, a frame structure supported separately but adjacent to said converter, mechanism including a tuyre punching member adapted to be inserted into a tuyre, means to reciprocate said member, a carriage upon which said mechanism is yieldably mounted whereby said member and associated reciprocating means may move universally relative to said carriage and self align `itselfV with the tuyre being punched to obviate binding and sticking of the punching member in the tuyre, means including photoelectrically actuated mechanism for automatically positioning said carriage relative to a tuyre to be punched, and cam actuated mechanism for initiating the insertion and reciprocaltion of said tuyre punching member in the tuyre.A i

16. In apparatus for punching tuyres on a converter, aV frame extending longitudinally of said converter affording access to the tuyres of the converter, a plurality of carriages arranged for vertical and longitudinal movement on said frame and adjacent said tuyres, said carriages being supported on a common machine bed which machine'bed is arranged to move vertically in said frame, tuyre .punching mechanism mounted on each carriage for punching said tuyres, means for moving the carriages automatically and simultaneously along said machine bed from tuyre to tuyre, and means engageable by said carriages adjacent each tuyre to be punched to halt the carriage movement and actuate punching control mechanism to punch the tuyre whereby a plurality of tuyres are punched concurrently.

17. Converter tuyre punching apparatus comprising a frame, a machine bed arranged for vertical movement in said frame, means comprising pulleyxand counter-balanced cable mechanism for supporting said machine bed in the frame, means for moving said machine bed vertically, electrically controlled mechanism for positioning the machine bed in said frame adjacent the tuyres to be punched, tuyre punching tool i mechanism mountedon a carriage which is supported for movement relative to the converter and adjacent the tuyres, electrically controlled mechanism for causing said carriage to move longitudinally of said machine bed and in posi- 19 tion to punch the tuyres one after the other from one end of the converter to the other, and means for interrupting the longitudinal movement of the carriage at each tuyre to be punched during the actual punching thereof.

18. Apparatus for punching converter tuyres comprising a movable support, a plurality of tuyre punchers arranged for movement along said support and adjacent said converter tuyres, each of said punchers comprising a punching tool mounted for universal movement relative to the converter thereby permitting self-alignment of tool to tuyre during punching thereof, common means for moving said plurality of punchers automatically and simultaneously in position to punch individual tuyres, and means for selectively actuating one or more of said punchers concurrently to clear encrustations from the tuyres.

19. Apparatus for punching converter tuyres comprising a plurality of punchers, means for concurrently moving said plurality of punchers in position'to punch a selected number of tuyres at the same time, means for initiating the punching cycle of operations for each puncher whereby the respective tuyres adjacent the punchers are punched, and means for initiating the movement of said punchers from tuyre to tuyre after each punching cycle, said movement initiating means being prevented from operating until all of the punchers have completed their respective punching cycles of operation.

20. In an apparatus for punching unequallyspaced converter tuyres, aplurality of punchers, common means for moving said punchers concurrently from tuyre to tuyre, spacer means operable at the point where unequal spacing of the tuyres is encountered during movement of said punchers to compensate for the spacial difference in the movement of one or more punchers whereby all of the punchers are moved in position to punch their respective tuyres at the end of each intermittent moving cycle as the punchers are moved from tuyre to tuyre successively.

21. An apparatus for punching tuyres according to claim 20 wherein the spacer means comprises an hydraulic cylinder and co-acting brake operable to interrupt the travel of a puncher at a predetermined point until the spacial difference between the tuyre spacings have been made up then permitting said last mentioned puncher to move in unison with the remaining punchers whereby all the punchers are simultaneously brought in proper position for punching their a carriage movable on said support longitudinally of the converter and adjacent the tuyres, said support and carriage being movable as a unit vertically with respect to the converter, a tuyre puncher mounted on said carriage, said puncher comprising a punching rod for inserting into a tuyre and a plurality of piston actuated means for moving said punch rod to puncha tuyre.

23. In apparatus for punching the tuyres of a rotary converter, a frame, a carriage support on said frame, a carriage movable on said support, a punching tool on said carriage and means for reciprocating said tool when inserted in a tuyre, electrically operated mechanism for moving said carriage on said support longitudinally of the converter and' adjacent the tuyres to be punched, electrically operated mechanism for moving said carriage and support as a unit circumferentially of the converter, and means operable in response to a predetermined decrease in air flow to the converter through the tuyres to initiate the movement of said carriage longitudinally of the converter and automatic punching of the tuyres successively throughout the length of the converter.

24. A puncher for automatically punching tuyres of a converter comprising a plurality of iluid actuated pistons one of which is connected to and arranged to reciprocate a punching tool while in registry with a tuyre, said punching tool actuating piston and tool being yieldably mounted on a base member which is connected to and reciprocated by a second iluid actuated piston.

25. In tuyre punching apparatus, the combination with a base, and a punching tool with reciprocating means therefor mounted on said base, of means for adjustably positioning said base toward and away from the tuyre to control the extent to which the punching tool is inserted into the tuyre by said reciprocating means.

XGORDON B. FORBES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Barnett Aug. 9, 1910 

